Mawpmita’jik Qalipu’k June 2015 Mawpmit’jik Qalipu’k Pronunciation Ma be ta jik—ha le boo gee

(The caribou are travelling together)

St.George’s Corner Brook Peterview

Event Hosted by St. George’s Indian Band in part- Event hosted by Qalipu Cultural Foun- Event hosted by the Exploits nership Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation June 21 dation in partnership with Qalipu Native Women’s Association Mi’kmaq First Nation and Corner June 21 6:00 am Sunrise Ceremony at Rec Brook Aboriginal Women’s Association June 21 6:00 am Sunrise Plex Ballfield (Community breakfast Ceremony at Wig- to follow at Rec Plex) All activities at Margaret Bowater Park (except wam Point, prayers, 10:00 am Spirit walk up Steel Photo by Qalipu member Megan Webb breakfast) songs, and drum- Mountain (meet at Legion parking ming lot at 9:45) 6:00 am Sunrise Ceremony Followed by a small 10 to 5 Free tours of K’taqmkuk 7-8 am Light breakfast at brunch/feast Mi’kmaq Museum Royal Canadian Legion INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1:00 Crafts at K’taqmkuk Mi’kmaq 9:00-2 RCMP Mounted Port au Port Museum Unit on site (Degrau) 2:00 Cake will be served 9, 11 and 1:00 Medicine Report on Quarterly Meeting of Hosted by Benoit 1st Nation Council………..…………..………...2-4 Walk (45 minute session) St.George’s Held on June 19 in the Reaching Young Hearts…………..5 9, 11 and 1:00 Storytell- French Centre Qalipu Success Stories…………6-7 Event Hosted by Bay St. George Cultural Circle with ing (45 minute session) 10:00 am Flag rais- support from Canadian Heritage June 21 Ginu and QNR updates…………..8 10-11:30 Demo—drum ing, drumming, sing- 5:00 am Sunrise Ceremony at Black Cultural Sharing in Exploits…….9 making ing, storytelling and Bank 10 and 12:30 Demo— games Your Community……………..10-11 7:00 am Breakfast at Cultural Cen- Mi’kmaq Language (1 hour 10-2 Culture display Contact us……………………………12 tre 329 Main St. St. George’s(main session) of crafts and artifacts location) 11:30-1:30 BBQ lunch at Centre 9:00 am singing and drumming available for sale. Proceeds 12:00 Old fashioned 10:30 am Traditional Sweat Lodge lunch Ceremony to Janeway fundraiser 12:30 Cake and gift 2:30 pm Crafts and games 11:30 and 1:30 drum- give-away 6:00 pm Traditional Feast and Give ming and singing Elders will receive a Away Ceremony 12:00 Cake cutting and tobacco tie from the 8:00 pm Sunset Ceremony at Cul- welcoming remarks youth. Draw for 6 tural Centre *To volunteer with this event please live lobster contact Mitch Blanchard at 634-8046

1 Quarterly Meeting of Council

Qalipu Chief and Council met on a n d i t s m e m b e r s h i p . Qalipu Chief Brendan Sheppard May 30 at the Mount Peyton Following the presentation by thanked Mr. Layden for his Hotel in Grand Falls for their Mr. Layden, Council voted to presentation and invited quarterly meeting, the last before accept the Audited Financial Councilor Mitchell to present the the Annual General Assembly on Statements. Members are Finance Committee’s Report. June 13. encouraged to review the report The Finance Committee oversees and will have an opportunity to and monitors Qalipu financial Before the meeting began, an In ask questions at the Annual activity and regularly reports to Camera session was called as per General Assembly this Saturday, Council on their findings. the Financial By-law. In Camera June 13 in Stephenville. Mitchell noted that the is a legal term which means in Committee had met on May 26 private, without staff. Brendan Mitchell, Chair of the and reviewed the financial Finance Committee, asked about The meeting began with a statements in advance of their the auditor’s opinion of Qalipu’s complete financial review of the presentation to Council at the financial health and whether 2 0 1 4 - 2 0 1 5 q u a r t e r l y fiscal year. meeting. The Council was C o m m i t t e e joined by Mr. found the Paul Layden, statements to Auditor with be in good Bonnell Cole order. Arising Jane’s, who f r o m t h i s had analyzed C o m m i t t e e Qalipu’s an- Chief, Council and Executive meeting were nual financial discuss Financial Statements two sugges- statements tions for im- there were areas of consideration and was on hand to present his provement. First it was sug- for future improvement. Mr. Audited Financial Report as well gested that the Committee meet Layden noted that Qalipu was in as answer any questions from with the auditor prior to the excellent financial health and is Council. meeting of Council and sec- currently making money that can ondly, it was pointed out that The Audited Financial Report, be funneled into future programs small edits to the Authority which is now available online, and business initiatives. He also Matrix were needed in order contains 28 financial statements noted that some improvement to improve clarity. that is representative of income could be made in the area of as- and expenditures in Qalipu pro- set management. That is to Council agreed with the grams, services and enterprises. say, tracking the amortization recommendations of the According to the report, Qalipu and disposal of assets. Committee and the suggestions has a surplus (money earned will be brought forward for CEO Annie Randell noted that over and above expenses) higher implementation. Qalipu does have an inventory than that from the previous fiscal tracking system that can be The next item on the agenda was year. This improvement indi- reinstated to work toward better an update on the Annual Operat- cates that Qalipu is moving in the asset management and improve ing Plans. Several Councilors right direction toward a goal of overall accountability of the sit on Standing Committees in generating its own revenue to Band. order to act as a liaison between help support the organization the Council and the day to day

2 Quarterly Meeting of Council operations of Qalipu. At each Francis Skeard, Gander Bay is ongoing investigation of quarterly meeting, they report Ward Councilor Calvin Francis, possible commercial opportuni- on the progress toward the ob- member at large Jesse Martin ties including wind energy, camps, and Corner Brook jectives outlined in the Annual and Service Qalipu Director Stream Development. Operating Plans. Ralph Eldridge. Skeard Efforts continue toward reported: Report on Operations Department. The members Qalipu Natural Resource of this committee include Division has the Aboriginal Corner Brook Councilor Bren- Fisheries Guardians back on for dan Mitchell, members at large the season, have received Joe Bouzanne and Dion funding to run several Hiscock, Finance Manger Jodi programs including removal of Wells, Exploits Councilor An- habitat obstructions, Species at drew Barker and Operations Risk studies, and research on Director Rob Dicks. Councilor invasive species. It was also Mitchell reported that during noted that two new fishing Exploits Councilor Andy this quarter the coordination of licenses have been issued Barker the Financial Audit had been bringing the total to seven. securing funding for cultural completed, the transition from initiatives under Culture and Administration of the Non a one week to a two week pay Heritage. In this division, Insured Health Benefits will Medicine workshops were held period is being organized, and change from Service Qalipu to across the island and a Tourism three staff people have been the Operations Department in and Artisans and Crafters trained to ensure that all the near future, a competition proposal submitted for consult- for a Health Services Manager Qalipu office locations are ing sector specialist closed on Friday, May 29, serviced by a clerk for SCIS Qalipu executive are set to meet Report on Work Force card applications and renewals. with Health Canada on June 22 Qalipu. Members include St. The department has also to present Qalipu’s health plan George’s Ward Councilor Karen contracted out for the vision over the next few years. White, Stephenville Ward Councilor Gerald White, mem- redevelopment of our website, It was also noted that delays with payment of NIHB travel ber at large Robert Park, and Qalipu.ca, and issued a Request benefit are often due to missing Director of Work Force Qalipu for Quotations to complete an information from members Keith Goulding. Councilor IT audit. submitting their claims. Qalipu White reported: 9 students cannot pay out any claim unless have been selected for the Report on Service Qalipu. the file is complete as audits RCMP/Qalipu Youth Summer Members of this committee are done on our files and the Employment Program, and 23 include Glenwood Councilor rules must be followed. more students will receive em- ployment through Qalipu In Community Economic Youth Summer Employment Development a proposal has program. Through the ASSETS been put forward for a youth Program Work Force Qalipu innovation project, a will sponsor 3 students for the Promotional Campaign Healers of Tomorrow Gather- Marketer has been hired to ing and under this program promote the Qalipu Busi- Qalipu has finalized funding for ness Network, the Business Gander Bay Ward Councilor Calvin the remaining students on the Wings Project is underuti- deferred list of students who Francis lized by members and there were awaiting funding. Counci-

3 Quarterly Meeting of Council

lor White also highlighted the Electoral Officer to manage the the last known Beothuk of New- Skills Parachute Program, a election and it was determined foundland, Shanadithit, by skills development program that the election would be held naming the Shanadithit Centen- which is designed to provide on October 23, 2015. nial Park in her Honor. Howev- members, who may be experi- er, over the years the park has Robert Janes, a lawyer with ex- encing barriers to employment become known simply as Cen- perience in aboriginal land with a broad range of services to tennial Park both in documen- claims, joined the meeting via ensure that they land on career/ tation and signage and the conference call. A joint effort employment path. The focus on monument is in some disrepair. between Miawpukek and Qalipu this years’ program is on Indi- Councilor Barker made a mo- was to hire Janes to provide a vidual Skills Enhancement. tion to write a letter to the legal opinion regarding Town of Grand Falls-Windsor Report on the Qalipu Mi’kmaq Aboriginal Rights to consider making repairs to Business Trust. Members of Claims in Nl. The matter is im- the monument to bring it up to standing committee include portant to Qalipu because when the standards of the original Flat Bay Ward Councilor Ben industry is working through construction and to once again Bennett, Qalipu CEO Annie traditional Mi’kmaq communi- refer to the park by its intended Randell, Port au Port Ward ties they would have a duty to name. In so doing, to remem- Councilor Litty MacDonald, consult with Qalipu. Janes re- ber one of our provinces first member at large Terry Mills ported that there was a very low peoples, the Beothuk. and Operations Director Rob (less than 1%) chance of Qalipu Dicks. Councilor Bennett obtaining a land claim since Before concluding the meeting reported: a $208, 000 income there were few historical docu- Qalipu’s fundraising success for reported from Mi’kmaq ments, no Treaty’s and the the year was announced. The Commercial Fisheries, NIHB Mi’kmaq were left out of the combined total from the four administration is being pursued Terms of Union when New- offices of St. George’s, Corner for its potential to create foundland joined Canada. Brook, Glenwood and Grand employment for members and However, Janes did say that Falls Windsor was $7, 590. ability to generate revenue. there is a greater chance to pur- This surpassed the organiza- $110, 000 income to date from sue Land Rights meaning a tions goal of $6000. This Marine Contractors Incorpo- First Nations right to use the money will be donated to the rated Qalipu (MCIQ) partner- land as they have historically. Janeway at their upcoming ship Janes referenced several cases Telethon. where aboriginal land rights Following the reports it was Council will meet again on June claims were fought and won, noted that members-at-large 13 in Stephenville for the and gave Chief and Council who sit on the Standing Annual General Assembly. some idea of the cost, research Committees are valued and all focus, and time that it would efforts should be made to take to pursue this matter schedule meetings that allow further. them to attend. When a mem- ber-at-large is unable to attend Exploits Councilor a meeting it was agreed that the A n d y B a r k e r minutes of the meeting should requested the sup- be forwarded to that member at port of Chief and the earliest convenience. Council regarding the Shanadithit Council discussed the upcoming Centennial Park. Qalipu election which is due to He noted that in occur this fall as per the Custom 1967 during the Rules Governing Qalipu Centennial of Cana- Mi’kmaq First Nation Band da celebrations, the Chief Sheppard signs off on the 2014-2015 Elections. Council voted to ap- Town of Grand Falls Financial Statements point Reg Antsy as the Chief -Windsor honored

4 Reaching Young Hearts

An 8 week Community Program had Qalipu, community volunteers, teachers and the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District working together to offer Aboriginal education in grade five class- rooms in the Corner Brook area. Mini powwows were held to celebrate the program’s conclusion. Below are some of the many Thank You letters that students sent to program organizers and volunteers.

Andrew, C.C. Loughlin Ashton, C.C. Loughlin Emma C.C. Loughlin

5 RCMP Youth Summer Program

The RCMP/Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Summer Student program provides aboriginal youth with an opportunity to work with the “The RCMP Youth Summer Program has RCMP. This is an eight week pro- strengthened my communication skills and gram from July-August with a one taught me to be independent as well as team week training session at the RCMP oriented. I gained a greater appreciation headquarters in St. John’s. The towards teamwork and learned just how program has been in existence since 1999 and is a National Best Prac- effective it can be. At the beginning of each tice in Policing Partnerships. While summer, I was informed that this job would the program has evolved throughout be unlike any other and that as a team, my the years, it has maintained its goal co-worker and I would be responsible for of building a worthwhile work expe- developing a schedule for the summer and rience for aboriginal youth who are interested in pursuing a career with making contact with various communities and the RCMP. Students engage in ac- their events. Being given this level of tivities for children such as bikes responsibility and independence motivated me rodeos and fingerprinting, as well as to put forth my greatest effort throughout the cabin and shed inventorying pro- summer.” grams and program- ming for seniors. Program participants Ashtyn Cultural Awareness McLean and Whitney Hynes at the Ashtyn McLean—program is a priority with the Powwow RCMP and with Qal- participant ipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band and cultural awareness is promoted through the program when- ever possible.

Ashtyn participates in Parks Day with Search and Rescue 6 Post Secondary Student Support Program Each year Qalipu supports the education of our members through the Post-Secondary Student Sup- port Program. This past year 718 students were funded with tuition, books and a living allowance in order to com- plete a variety of college diploma, undergraduate and post- graduate de- grees. Alora

“I finished at Cape Breton University in May of 2014 with a Blanchard was Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The day after graduation I one of these stu- started a full-time position at Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital, the dents who has closest hospital to my community (St. George’s). Since May I now graduated have remained full-time and am now in a permanent and found full position on the medicine ward which includes all medical time employ- admissions, chemotherapy and palliative. Since graduation I ment near her have completed both the advanced foot care course and community of the chemotherapy course. I feel so privileged to have such St. George’s. a rewarding and caring career at such a young age. I am truly grateful to the Qalipu Band for the financial assistance and support they provided through my 4 years of university. My goal is to one day complete my Master's as a Nurse Alora Blanchard on the job at Practitioner and return to our community to continue to give the Palliative Care Unit at Sir back. “ Thomas Roddick Hospital, Stephenville, NL Qalipu Business Support In 2014-2015, the Qalipu Communi- t y E c o n o mi c Client Profile—Charlene Combdon, Rock Development Of- Solid Diesel fice has been in touch with 98 Charlene Combdon owns Rock Solid Diesel. Qalipu business She is on the front line keeping the Charlene Combdon , Owner -Rock clients seeking to business functioning. Her partner handles Solid Diesel either start their the repairs on the customers’ rigs. own business or Beginning with a service vehicle, the company has grown into both road side make improvements to their existing business. and shop based services in just over a Donald Quigley, Community Economic Development couple of years. Officer for the Band works out of the Grand Falls- “Don and I get together once in a while to Windsor satellite office. He is responsible for re- discuss what’s next” says Charlene of sponding to member requests for business advice and Quigleys business advice. guidance. Most inquiries are driven from the need for “We’ve had a couple of sessions revamping funding for a business start-up or improvements. Rock Solid’s business plan. I’ve received Qalipu is often able to aid in the planning required to some good advice.” access any funding, and help improve the chance of suc- cess for the business.

7 Ginu, your Qalipu Connection

Each member of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation has a membership pro- file listed in ginu, our membership database. Member profiles are used to develop and maintain the Qalipu Membership List and generate the official Voters’ List. We also use email to communicate with news, events, and information on programs and services.

Support for education and training, provision of eligible Non Insured Health Benefits, connection to cultural and special events as well as the Josh Locke, Promotional Campaign Marketer ability to become involved in economic development activities are all tied to your ginu membership profile.

If you are seeking employment and identify your interest in employment opportunities, we can also help connect you with possible jobs. In the coming weeks, Promotional Campaign Marketer Josh Locke will be calling members to en- sure their profiles are up to date. He is also available to help update. Reach Josh at (709) 634- 2527 or email [email protected]

Qalipu Natural Resource Division The 2015 Qalipu Natural Resources (QNR) field season is now in full swing, with projects this year focusing on improving habitat for Atlantic salmon and brook trout and monitoring populations of American eel, aquatic invasive species, banded killifish, and piping plover. In 2014, QNR staff and Aboriginal Fisheries Guardians successfully documented a number of obstructions along tributar- ies of Harry’s River and Flat Bay Brook. These obstructions were identified as potential barriers to the upstream migration of Atlantic salmon and the in-stream migration of brook trout. QNR staff and Aboriginal Fisheries Guardians will be removing these obstructions in June and July, which will improve connectivity in these river systems and improve access to Atlantic salmon spawning habitat. All debris will be collected during removal efforts and moved beyond the high water mark to ensure that important fishing areas are not negatively affected. Habitat restoration activities have been funded by Fisheries and Oceans Canada through the Recreational Fisheries Conserva- tion Partnerships Program (RFCPP). This project will set a framework for understanding the ef- fects of removing obstructions on improving access to Atlantic salmon spawning habitat. Atlantic salmon habitat obstruction found on a tributary of Flat Bay Brook in 2014

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Cultural Sharing in Exploits Mi’kmaw culturalCultural teacher Sharing Vanda in GFW Martin and her four granddaughters helped children at Tiny Hands Daycare in Grand Falls-Windsor to celebrate World Day for Cultural Diversity this month with Mi’kmaq and other aboriginal cultural teachings. The children were enthusiastic about learning aboriginal themed songs, games and words. Martin is a member of the Exploits Native Women’s Drumming Group and the Exploits Native Women’s Association but, she says her favorite time to share Mi’kmaw culture is on Sundays when she gets togeth- er with her granddaughters Katie, Claire, Penney and Lauren, for gina’matimg (Pronunciation: geyna ma demk; meaning: A time for learning). It was during one of those Sunday get togethers, where the girls practice songs, crafts and other Mi’kmaq teachings, that the idea came about to share their culture with youth in their area to celebrate World Day for Cultural Diversity Martin said, “I used to work at Tiny Hands and two of my four granddaughters went there when they were toddlers. It was a natural fit for us to go share our culture with the children there. My granddaugh- ters were a bit nervous to be in a presentation role but, ultimately came around and did a fantastic job. I’m so proud of them.” To begin the get together at the Tiny Hands, Vanda played a word game with the children. “Can you say go away? How about ga way? Now say it a little quicker, gway.” As the children followed her through each step of word play they ended up learning the Mi’kmaw word for hello, K’we. “There,” she said, “Now you can say hello in Mi’kmaw.” Martin and her granddaughters went on to share owl rattles, each painted with the Day Care’s name, and shared the Eagle Song, a Plains Cree healing chant and another one called the Woodpecker song. “It was the fast pace of the Ojibway Water Cleansing Song that really got everyone going,” said Martin, “We sang this one while playing a game that the Mi’kmaq learned from the Abenaki group called the Feather Dance. For this game, all the children take turns, when the music stops they have to try to get their feather from the log, in this case a paper towel roll, with their teeth while standing on one foot. The children enjoyed it so much and by the end both they and the teachers were singing along and the chil- dren were begging for another turn!” Teachers at Tiny Hands Day Care enjoyed the game so much that they plan to use it for future activity time with the children. Martin says that sharing of our culture is especially wonderful for our youth and hopes to do more of it in the central Newfoundland area.

Vanda and three of her four granddaughters, Katie, Claire and Penney 9 9 Your Community

SUPPORT QALIPU MEMBER CHRIS GABRIEL AS HE LEADS THE “RUN THE ROCK” FUNDRAISER

“Each year Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship ST. JOHN’S con- ducts a charity fundraiser, known as Run the Rock, where members of my ship’s company raise money in support of the Newfoundland and Labrador chapter of the Children’s Wish Foundation. The crew has been running a yearly relay across Newfoundland since 1996 and to date we have raised over $600,000 for the Children’s Wish Foundation. Last year was our most successful year to date, when we raised over $81,000 helping grant another eight wishes. Chris Gabriel with his two children, Kieran and Ella This year’s event will mark the 20th anniversary of our cam- paign and is scheduled from 27 June – 10 July. Our goal this year is to raise $100,000 which will allow Children’s Wish to grant wishes to ten children living with life threatening illnesses. I am the Logistics Officer on board HMCS ST. JOHN’S and I volunteered to organize this year’s campaign. Ever since my involvement in the St.George’s Youth Organization where I was originally exposed to charities and volunteer work to when I biked across Canada to raise awareness for Spina Bifida and Hydrocpehalus , I have always gravitated towards helping organizations with a great cause. This year is no different. Our team of 15 sailors has one goal – raise $100k for Children’s Wish Foundation NL and we look forward to the challenge of achieving it!” Find out when Chris and his team will be stopping in your community and help them achieve their fundraising goal by visiting their website (runtherock.ca) or on Facebook at “Run the Rock NL”

IN.BUSINESS

Graduates of this years In.Business class including Qalipu members Amber Hiscock and Nicole In.Business - A Busi- Goulding along with AJ Hinks and Susan Beniot of Miawpukek First Nation (Conne River, NL) ness Network for In- digenous Youth is the high school business men- torship program that teams Aboriginal high school students in grades 10, 11, and 12 with Aborig- inal business mentors, who are educated, working professionals with a back- ground in busi- ness. During the course of the school year, students work on business challenges facilitated by their mentors using smartphone technology (provided to them by CBU). The primary goal of these challenges, and this program, was to help the students explore various facets of business so that they can make informed decisions about their future educational plans, which will hopefully include business. Sound interesting? Apply here (http://www.cbu.ca/crawford/youth-network/atlantic- region)

10 Your Community

Join Qalipu Staff on the Majestic Lawn, Corner Brook, for a Fundraiser BBQ eve- ry Thursday from 11:45-1:00. All pro- ceeds in aid of the Janeway

Hamburgers $3.00 Hotdogs $2.00 Shopsy's $3.00 Pop/Water $1.00

SHARE YOUR EVENT WITH US BY CON- TACTING ALISON AT 634-5163 OR EMAIL [email protected]

11 Contact:

Alison White Marketing and Communications Coordinator Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Tel. (709) 634-5163 Email [email protected]

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